Lawrence Dallaglio has dismissed England’s chances of winning the World Cup in New Zealand, but believes that the team can lift the cup when the tournament comes to these shores in 2015.
Former captain Dallaglio, who played a key part in winning the Webb Ellis Cup in Australia in 2003, believes that former teammate Martin Johnson’s side will have a hard time repeating that success this month.
"Hand on heart, England are not favourites. They are not the number one side in the world, they are not the number two," he told the Press Association.
"What can we realistically expect from England in this World Cup? Well, if they got to the semi-finals and played well then I think the majority of people would be happy."
The former loose forward has praised England’s turnaround under Johnson, but believes that their time won’t come until they compete for the cup on home soil in 2015.
"Without a doubt this team is capable of winning in 2015," he said. "That is no consolation if they don't go and win this one because of course you don't know what is going to happen in the future. But this England team are getting better and better all the time.
"I think that this England team's time will come four years later."
England kick off their World Cup campaign against Argentina on Saturday, September 10.
